Hi my faithful followers & reviewers :) Thanks for reviewing, and it's nice to know people are enjoying this last Large Eyes series story that integrates the HG series.
Wiress and Beetee soaked in the a hot bubble bath after their swim. Mags and Finnick were back in the hotel where Mags would relax and Finnick would 'visit' his 'friends' in the Capitol. Plutarch was putting in some weekend hours at the training center and would be home to host another dinner party. The group would meet again in the evening.
"I'm back!" Plutarch called cheerfully. "Mr. and Mrs. Tesla?" He asked expecting to find them lounging in the living room watching a program on the large flat-screen TV. Instead he found them sitting at the stools at the granite kitchen island sketching in their notebooks. Martin was hard at work utilizing the rest of the L shaped gourmet kitchen to prepare another sea-food meal.
"The mixer has various attachments -" Wiress began as Martin switched out a whisk-like attachment for a ceramic hook apparatus. The Teslas watched as Martin started the mixer. It kneaded the dough in the attached stainless-steel bowl while Martin chopped vegetables on a wood cutting board. Realizing that he had an audience, Martin smiled and set the food processor on the kitchen island so the inventors could watch the appliance run.
"Are they not broadcasting the Victors' parties?" Plutarch asked in surprise as he watched the two inventors taking notes on the various kitchen appliances.
"No idea. We've only been out here for an hour or so." Beetee replied. "Wire and I rested for a bit after Finnick treated us to a morning at the athletic club."
"You guys can swim now!" Finnick announced coming into the living room behind Plutarch. "Well - kinda, but hey, Plutarch, they can keep their heads above water for a few minutes!"
"That's good." Plutarch replied as the District Three victors blushed. "Not everyone's a fish like you, Mr. Odair." Mags closed the door and chuckled at Finnick's exchange with the Head Gamemaker. "So, is nothing good on TV? I thought you would be watching the Victory Tour."
"No. Only -"Wiress began with tears in her eyes.
"Only reruns of our children's Games. "Beetee replied not hiding the bitterness from his voice. "However, it's close to prime time viewing. Power On!" Beetee called as the large screen TV came to life. "Panem News Network! Voice control off!"
"Dang! I forgot about that feature! I spent fifteen minutes last Thursday looking for the remote." Plutarch groaned much to the amusement of his guests.
"If you like, we can give you a tutorial of all our inventions in your apartment -" Wiress offered as Plutarch turned a brilliant maroon.
"That's quite alright -" Plutarch stammered as Martin snorted down a laugh. "Martin, appetizers if you will. On the coffee table, please." That was the cue for his guests to gather around the TV. They snacked on crackers with a cheese-crabmeat paste, vegetables with a vinagerette dip, and some popcorn. "Tonight is the big night!" Plutarch announced along with Claudius Templesmith. "Tonight, we hear from our own Victors: Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark!" Chuckles filled the room as the victors watched Plutarch applaud enthusiastically with the audience. Unlike the victors, he had never known the challenges of being in the spotlight after surviving a cruel arena. Therefore, his guests were more reserved in their applause.
Katniss and Peeta sat together as Caesar interviewed them. When the moment came, Peeta bent down on one knee and proclaimed his undying love for Katniss. Tears came to Beetee's eyes as he remembered his public engagement to Wiress. Her small hand squeezing his told him she was remembering as well.
"Well, we'll have to get you two wed in style!" Caesar proclaimed crowd.
"B.S." Finnick muttered before Mags slapped his thigh. "Ow! Nana!"
"Come again, Mr. Odair?" Plutarch asked confused by Finnick's reaction.
"They know it's forced." Beetee whispered. "Their love is for show."
"Well, Caesar sounds genuinely happy -" Plutarch protested.
"No - districts." Wiress said furiously. "They know the berries weren't because of love." The color drained from Plutarch's face as Wiress' words sank in.
"This is it, man." Finnick said as he picked up a ball of fried clam and tossed it in his mouth. "Snow's gonna get it in the nuts, you just watch!"
"And unlike we did so many years ago, they can't stop a rebellion."
"Whoa - hey - you guys almost started a revolution?" Finnick yelped surprised as Beetee nodded seriously. "Holy mother of Snow, you two are hard core!"
"Well, a long long time ago in a galaxy far far away -" Beetee paused for the dramatic effect but only Wiress laughed. "Ok, after my Games, they started cracking down on the underground resistance in District Three. Wiress' sister was in the first Games I mentored. Then of course, Wiress was reaped." Putting a comforting arm around Wiress, Beetee continued. "The district knew the Capitol was trying to punish the two leaders of the rebellion by taking their only daughters. And the Engineering Academy faculty was furious that the Capitol was playing with the life of the smartest first year Academy student in the history -"
"Beetee -" Wiress cut in sheepishly as she blushed before burying her face in Beetee's shirt.
"It's true, baby." Beetee whispered. "My smart love." Mags clearing her throat brought them out of their kiss. "My girl outwitted everyone, of course, and joined me in the rebellion. The Capitol knew and separated us for six months. They tortured the girl I loved. They tried to break her. But she came out stronger. We lived our lives in quiet defiance of the Capitol and District Three knew it. Under Snow's orders, we had to show that we approved of the Capitol and of that lifestyle. So when Wiress turned eighteen, we were engaged and married in the Capitol as a way to pacify our district."
"Temporarily." Wiress added.
"Yes, temporarily."
"But of course, all that changed for your district during their Games." Finnick added as the television program showed re-runs of Katniss and Peeta's pre and post-Games interviews.
"Yes - our children -" Wiress' voice cracked causing everyone in the room to blink back tears.
"Their killings plus Katniss and Peeta's act of rebellion paved the way for the rebels to take District Three. And word will spread. The districts will fall." Beetee proclaimed. "If we're efficient and have decent security before the overt revolution begins in earnest, we might live to see a free Panem."
The room was silent as the Victors relished their thoughts of a free nation and the reality of joining the revolution struck the Head Gamemaker. Martin tapping on a glass with silverware signaled the start of dinner.
"Things are moving quickly." Plutarch observed midway through the meal. "In theory, I knew that if an underground rebellion was in existence, it wouldn't take much to get it going, but - my god - District Eight has been in a full scale riot for 24 hours. It's not televised, of course, but I have been informed. We're preparing, as Gamemakers, to make the arena a form of terrible punishment."
"So, that's it then? You're job is to warn us?" Beetee asked furiously slamming his wine glass onto the table causing it to tip and spill merlot on the cream colored table cloth.
"Yes. And no. I have a plan. Albeit a vauge idea now, but I have an idea." He paused. "Beetee, turn the sensors off after dinner. In a few weeks, I will call a larger pool of Victors together. But for now, our presence is requested at a ball in Katniss and Peeta's honor."
"Oh - should we have skipped dinner?" Wiress asked shocked.
"No." Plutarch laughed. "No no. It is an honor to host such wonderful Victors. I did not know about our invitation until an hour ago. President Snow requested our attendance. As it's seven o'clock, and we should be at the Presidential Mansion at ten, we have plenty of time to get ready."